Cowl fastener



J. w. WARREN COWL FASTENER Jan. 20, 1948.

Filed Jan. 15, 1944 INVENTOR JAMES w.wARREN ATTORNE Patented Jan. 20, 1948 UNIT-ED JSFFNTES OFFICE EEOWL FASTEN ER James. W? Warren, :Lynbrook, N. 12, ..assignor.=to 'I--Amerioan Machine and Fouiidrv Company; a "-corporation 'of NewaJersey Appl2eation' January 15, 1944, Serial No. 518,332

'This invention relate'sito fastening devices and imore 1oa'rti'cul'arlyw to cowliastenersfof aruniversal'type in whichthe same fastener can .be. employed for securing. togetherplatesfof va'rying thicknesses "and" thuseliininatef. the nece's'sitytof maintaining in: stock a; plurality ofvarying' sizes ,of locking studs for accomplishing theiidesired "result.

In the past it hasibeen' customarYt-o use't'iowl fasteners and employ in conjunction "therewith -'*1ocking studs of *varyinglengths or shims'under the receptacle -in= order-to" meet the requirements of aparticular-"locking 'problem ,so "that? if the cowl or other plates-"being securedtogetherl'dei "'tachably var-iedin thickness it wouldnecessitate "theuse -"of a*--lnger"or*sh0rter Stlld',"'01 varying l l thickness of shims" in order-to secure .the plates togethersatisfactorily.

if It is w an object of" my 'inventionftherefore, to provi'de an" improved universal? 'typ"fastener-' in which the same fastener and-"locking studs can i be employed to secure together "detachable plates Jot varying thicknesses.

Itis a-further-"objectof my invention topro- If 1 vide: animprovedeowl'iasteneremploying a locking studihaving an interrupted thread and means 1 for securing the stud 'in' one-of the'plates'tobe .wiield together in such a 'way 'that the'isame'stud :1; can: be employed-oven a- -wide--range" "of-locking rconditions including variations in plate thickness.

.;s It is a fur-ther 'objectof myinvention topro- :vide an improved fastener" suitable for use in securing; a plurality of plates togethersuch? as cowl tplatesfofan airplane whichis-readilyadaptable: for ause in plates of varying' thickness.

111135 is also: an= object of my invention to" pro- :--:vide a universal fastener which is design ed'to zsatisfy alli requirements-to which it may be-sub- ;f] 80l'ledi S1lChi as load capacities-,- plate --separation and positive locking. and unlocking.

It is a further objectf'of. my invention 'to pro- 'vide an improveduniversalffastener having positive meansfor limiting plate separation whenthe '.several-partsofithe.fastener are in. locking cooperation.

It is'anraddedobject of my" invention to provide an improved: universal fastener having a, turnable locking member provided with means --.for ;-limitingits movementinto and out of-lockl ing position.

Itis also an object of my-invention'to provide an *improv'ediastenerwhich satisfies all require- :rnents to which it xmaybe put and at' the same mtimereduce' the fastener weight" to a minimum. astMyinvention also consists in a" fastener device (CI.24#221) 5:?2 F. having. improvedimeansl f orrsecuringi ith'eqlo'cking l lelement. in-assenibled relationship lin' one plate .pforilocking engagement with anotheriportioniof .1 the device in. anothernplat'eito' be. se'cufed together 5 \ahdfeliminate" the", ne'edv'for. grommeting ,orguse I'. of. a. snap ring to securefithe.locking"stfud its "sup orting plate.

t A furtherobjectfof myinventi'on is to provide a "fastening unitwhich jemploys a locking stud having'"an"interrupted thread'or' screw such that a studof a given.length can be employedfor locking together" plates of ""varyingqthickness and "'to u'tilize a""'stud holding mernberfi'such as a fiber'washer,-*to"secure"the stud in""the"stud*supporting-plateregardless 'of the"*'thickness ofthe studsupporting plate; which minimizes the'overall heighth of theuastener and accordinglwre- -duces' its- Weight. V V

-With these and other objects not specifically mentioned =in vie-.vvwthe invention consistsin'cer- -tain combinations em constructions which will -b'e hereinafteriullv desribed and then set-"forth in the claims hereunto eappehded.

-'=In the-accompanying -'drawings-= which form a zspart o'f this specificatiom ahd in vvhiclf-like chariCtelS""0f reference" indic'ate the same" or" i like parts:

Fig'ure is a sectional-view of a-preferred-form Ioi the invention taken ori line l- 4 ofi Fi'gure 3&2;

iFigur 2 1$ 21} sectional elevationof. the =-f-astener taken ori line -2-" 2 of Figure 1 Figure 3 isa'zvi'ew taken ori line =3Q-3 0'f :Figiiiiure :1; Figure ris a sectional 'viewl'of a'modifiedwiew ofrthezinvention' showing-thearrangement o'f'-the locki ng members Witlr the loclii-ng stud separated 'therefrom; V

Figur 5- is a sectiorial view-*takemondine '5*-5 *0f Fignre4;

Figure 6* is a pers-pective' View "of the' iocking stud ;"-'-and """Figure 7 is a partialsectionalview showing a modified 'form of'ithe' invention'with" means for insuring against unlimited plate separation when 'th 1 fastener is locked.

Referring toithel drawings which? showian vembodiment of the: invention selectedeforpurposes fof'illustration; it iwil llbe seen-that plates 6..and 8, 'which may the. parts 10f. an airplane howling. or other machineipart; are held togetheinby. means (.Pof a f-asteneriunit.designated.generally ID. This fastener; unit .consistsjof, a "receptacle indicated gg'en'er'alljiil Z 'providedfa't its-(ends 'with legs fii and an openin 24 through which projects nut 23.

seated within the receptacle 12.

As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, receptacle l2 houses nut 26, detent plate 28 and spring 30 and maintains the same in assembled operative relationship.

Nut 26 may be provided with a flange or plate 32 shaped to conform generally with the interior of the receptacle l2 in which the nut 26 is seated. As illustrated, flange 32 is of a size which permits slight lateral and longitudinal movement within receptacle l2 so that the nut can be shifted relative to the casing for introduction of the locking stud 48 either on or off center with respect to the dimple D in the stud supporting plate 6. Opening 24 is greater than the diameter of nut 26 so that the latter can slide on its seat relative to the side and end walls of the receptacle l2.

Flange or nut plate 32 is also provided with two upstanding lugs 33, 34 located on opposite edges, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. These lugs may be formed in any suitable manner such as ears on flange 32 which are bent up at substantially 90. Lugs 33, 34 assist in positive locking of the members of the fastener unit, especially detent plate 28, described hereinafter, and may also serve as means for limiting separation of plates 6 and 8 when they are subjected to load.

Also included within receptacle [2 is a suitable spring for holding the several parts of the unit in the receptacle I 2 in proper arrangement and locking relationship. In the embodiment shown, the spring may consists of a bowed fiat steel member 30 provided with an opening 44 through which locking stud 40 can be inserted through slotted portions 45:: in nut 26 and then turned through a predetermined arc, such as 90, engaging the threads 21 of nut 26. Spring 30 is positioned is receptacle l2 with its two ends engaging ears 46 which are formed on receptacle l2 and act to locate spring 30 in proper position therein. Cut out portions 3| (Figure 3) may also be formed in spring 30 to allow clearance for lugs 33, 34 on nut plate 32. The middle portion of spring 38, as indicated in Figure 1, bears against detent or looking plate 28 provided with an opening 58 shaped generally to conform with the cross-section of locking stud 40 and thereby allow the passage of the locking stud 48 therethrough into nut 26 and at the same time insure that when the locking stud is turned the detent or locking plate 28 also will be turned. Detent plate 28 preferably is provided with means for limiting its turning movement relative to the receptacle 12. This arrangement is designed to limit turning movement of plate 28 from either locking or unlocking position. A suitable means for carrying out this purpose may consist of a projecting stop segment 52 (Figure 3) formed on the edge of plate 28 having its end faces 53, 54 lying in planes substantially at right angles with each other. Plate 28 is provided with detents 54 adapted to move in and out of recesses 55 in nut flange 32 depending upon whether the locking stud 40 and detent plate 28 are in locking or unlocking position. Any suitable number of detents and recesses may be employed. Two detents spaced 180 apart on the detent plate 28 coacting with four recesses in nut flange 32 have been found satisfactory. In this way plate 28 is held against turning both in locking and unlocking positions.

It will be seen that the plate stop 52 is so designed that when detent plate 28 is moved by locking stud 40 through from unlocking to locking position, face 53 will engage lug 33 on the nut plate, at substantially the same time that a detent 64 on detent plate 28 clicks into a recess 55 formed in nut plate 32. In this way the person operating the fastener is apprised audibly that the several parts are in looking engagement, and because of the engagement of face or abutment 53 of stop segment 52 with lug 33, overtravel of plate 28 and undesired unlocking is prevented.

Locking stud 48 preferably is provided with a tapered head 4| and an interrupted thread. In the form shown, stud 40 is adapted to fit in a dimple D formed in plate 6 so that when in looking position it will lie substantially flush with the surface of plate 6. Stud 40 may be secured in plate 6 by any conventional means such as grommets or snap rings. I prefer, however, to continue the threads 43 into close adjacency with head 4| and employ a friction ring, such as a fiber or plastic washer 45, which when applied to the shank of the stud forms its own thread as it is screwed on the threads 43 up against the under side of the dimple on plate 6 to hold the stud properly positioned therein. In this manner the same stud can be used regardless of variations in the thicknesses of the plates because only the position of the washer on the shank of the locking stud will vary in accordance with plate thickness. This condition holds true within a wide range depending upon the size of fastener unit employed for a particular job.

It has been found desirable to provide means for limiting plate separation during actual use of machines employing fasteners of the type under consideration. As an example, certain army and navy specifications limit the separation of plates to say of an inch. One means for meeting this requirement is to form lugs 33, 34 of such length that the maximum distance at all times between the top of the lugs and plate 8 when locking stud 40 is in locking engagement with nut 26 shall be not in excess of of an inch. Obviously the distance can be varied in accordance with specifications insofar as length of lugs 33, 34 is concerned.

Plate separation can also be controlled by inserting one or more pins 60 in nut 26 (as shown in Figure 7) and at a position such that that portion of the pins nearest receptacle flanges 22 will limit movement of the nut plate 32 away from flange 22 to /64 of an inch or any other desired distance according to the position occupied by the pins.

A modified form of the invention embraces the same general principles of the preferred form described hereinabove. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, nut 66 is, contained within receptacle i 2, and is of such a'size that it may have relative lateral movement therein in order to make possible easy alignment with looking stud 40, if for any reason the stud and nut are not in perfect alignment.

i' Nut lit-may vary in thickness according to the ##demands to which" the fasteneris--p1lt, and-requirements of-specifieationsfi"In any-case, nut -66' is of a thickness =sufiicient to hold a stud 40 be r'estrictedto the-precise detailsfofzthe.structure shown and described.

What is claimed is: a 1. A fastenerudevice offvthevtype-:adapted to secure plates together: detachablm-icomprising a receptacle and meanslfor securing-said receptacle to one'of said plates, a-nutlooselyrmountediwithin said receptacle, a locking plate:provided'lwith a studreceiving opening mounted::withimsaidereceptacleand in engagement with saidznut', arresilient locking element positioned 'withinnsaidremmovingeither rom= locking: or unlocking position,

,uplat'e ilifl is I provided with a cut out-portion" to extending 'along the: periphery-thereof, and I having "-iace's'il2;l-4'1whichengage shoulder 15 on-aninner afaceof'zthe receptable I25. As'shown in Figure 5,;

i the fastener? elements are in unlocking positions, 1.1; and face 7 2 bears against shoulder 'lfil -When stud zzdlleandplate w are moved-in the direction of the .-=arrow B:nntil:face l-4 engages shoulder 16, detents :=s164 -are:mo ved out ofrecesses 55 and into recesses,

1' fifacausingran. audible-click; .In this manner the ifastener. twill bealocked: and-so? that plates 6, 8 1. rcannotbe separated.

zzIngordertto insure against anything but an a; allowed andlimited plate separation, a second lug or shoulder 18 is fixed to or formed in the wall ll otreceptacletlZ. '"Therunder facesof lugs lfi, l8 rxarespacedsay 3/64 of: anlinch or sllitabledistance fromzthe topv of nuttGB wvhen the fastener parts are locked-together, '3 Thedistance from the faces moi lugs zlfipltlxto. the top surface of nut 66 can be nivariedto;meetspecifications.

nBeferringitoFigures 1, 2 and 3, a brief descripionsofzthe operation'of the fastening unit (shown i :atherein). is as. follows,1assuming that receptacle iliiz and itscenclos'ed. elementsare fastened by any a suitahle-conventional means, such as rivets Hi to .:.:plate 8:"and locking stud sdllis secured by washer 1 :45am. zplatefi .Plate Band locking stud 40 are superimposed in proper relation with respect to n'ithesopeningtthrough spring'30, detent plate 28 mandinutzZBJ; Theztwo. platescare associated in zg-lucking: re1ation,alocking: stud Ml isnow located so azthatrzthesproper-threadsz43 thereof will en age with threads 2,1?of nut125 .when the stud is turned r;.;thnough 90 .:by any suitable. means such as a a screwdriver or: other .tooltnot shown) Detent plate; 28;which is positioned resiliently against zz nutt-fiangexfl bylz-springiiell, is turned simultane- OUSIYZ'LW'ithLthGZStUd34011111311f3lCe 53 of stop 52 szengagesz'rupstanding. lugr33:of nut flange 32 and aatwthensamextime an-audible click can be heard :azaS. ,dctents 264% on iplatez-28 vmove into engagement with recesses '55 in nut flange 32.

Looking association between'the several parts araboves.described-will continue until stud 40 is :turnedain aireverse-direction toremove the detentsi-fikfromengagement with recesses 55 and 68,1288:face:53,0f:5t0p 52 to move out of engage- ,'-;,ment with lug33. ,Stud-Miand plate 28 are turned .:inthe.=direction of; the arrow A (Figure 3) until :iace- 540i. stop 52;engages lug 34 at which time de- .,:tents zfi l'clickintoi the other set of recesses 55. .:;;'Ihis:arrangement permits positive positioning of ;:t:he:tEastener--parts in; unlocked relationship.

The inventionrabovedescribed may be varied in L rconstruction Withintthe scope of the claims, for thee-particularl device,.selected to illustrate the r,c:irrvent-ion;l is butaione of many possible. concrete aaembodiments: ofcthetsame. :lt; is not; therefore, to

eeptacle and constructed :and arranged :to b-ias 'said plate into engagement With-saidnut, a locking stud adapted tobe-inserted through-"another of-said plates. and through said member: and plate into engagement with said nut; the-'cross section of said stud "conforming substantially with 'the shape of said opening insaid locking plate; means on said platefor effecting locking-cooperatiorrbetweensaid stud,- plate and nut when said'stud 'a'nd plate are turned relativeto said receptacleg means for limiting theturning movementof'- said stud and plate, said means-including a flange formed on the edge ofsaid lockingplate, and-meansmn said nut engaged by said flange -forpreventing turning movement Of-said-stud.

I 2. A-fastener device for use insecuringtogether a plurality of plates comprising a"receptacle, a nut" mounted withinsaid receptacle-'for-'-lateral shifting movement-relative =thereto,-mea-nson-said nut preventing rotation thereofin said' receptacle, a turnable-locking-plate, a spring located-in said receptacle and constructedandarranged-to urge saidplate against said nut, a-locking stud having an interrupted thread adapted '-to'- be -inserted through said spring-and* p1ate-=for engagement with said nut,said plate and'nut having openings conforming substantially-- with the cross-section of said stud,-means-on said plate-and operative when said plate has been turned-by said stud =for securing said stud inlocked position-in said nut relative to said receptacle, means on 'said' plate limiting turning movement of said plate and stud into locking position,- and means :for limiting axial movement of said stud when indocking position to control the separation of said platesa'nd maintain the same at aminimum.

3. A fastener device comprising a-receptaelc, a flanged nut mounted in said-zreceptacleand projecting outwardly therefrom through an opening in said receptacle, angular lugs on said-flange of said nut, a locking plate, a'spring-within saidreeeptacle pressing said p'late againstsaidiflange, a locking stud adapted to'be inserted" through said spring; andplatefor engagement with the threads of said nut, and a projection on the edge of -said plate constructeda'nd arranged to engage one of said lugs to prevent further turningmovement of saidstud and plate relative to said flange-when said stud andplatehave been moved toilocking position.

4. A fastener device for use in-: securing together detachably a pluralityiofi separable plates of any thickness, comprising. a; receptacle, a flanged nut mounted in said receptacle and projecting outwardly therefrom through an: opening in said receptacle-angular lugsconsaid-flange of said nut, a locking plate, a spring within-=said-re eeptacle pressing said plate againstzsaid flange, a locking stud adapted to beiinserted through said spring, and plate for engagement witntne threads of said nut, a projection on the edgeof'said plate constructed and arranged to engage -=one= of said .lugs to prevent further .turningzmovement Of said r stud and plate have been moved to locking position, and means for insuring minimum separation of said plates when locked together.

5. A fastener device for holding a plurality of members together comprising a receptacle, a flanged nut mounted in said receptacle and projecting outwardly therefrom through an opening in said receptacle, angular lugs on said flange of said nut, a locking plate, a spring within said receptacle pressing said plate against said flange, a locking stud adapted to be inserted through openings in said spring and plate for engagement with the threads of said nut, and a projection on the edge of said plate constructed and arranged to engage one of said lugs to prevent further turning movement of said stud and plate relative to said flange when said stud and plate have been moved to locking position, said lug being constructed and arranged to engage one of said members and limit member separation to a minimum when said members are locked together.

6. A fastener device of the type adapted to secure plates together detachably, comprising a receptacle and means for securing said receptacle to one of said plates, a nut carried by said receptacle, a locking plate provided with a stud receiving opening mounted within said receptacle and in engagement with said nut, a resilient looking element positioned within said receptacle and constructed and arranged to bias said plate into engagement with said nut, a locking stud adapted to be inserted through another of said plates and through said member and plate into engagement with said nut, the cross-section of said stud conforming substantially with the shape of said opening in said locking plate, means on said plate for effecting locking cooperation between said stud, plate and nut when said stud and plate are turned relative to said receptacle, means for limiting the turning movement of said stud and plate, and means for limiting axial movement of said stud when in looking cooperation with said plates and nut.

7. A fastener device of the type adapted to secure plates together detachably, comprising a receptacle and means for securing said receptacle to one of said plates, a nut loosely mounted within said receptacle and provided with a recess, a locking plate provided with a stud receiving opening mounted within said receptacle and in engagement with said nut, a locking stud adapted to be inserted through another of said plates and through said member and locking plate into engagement with said nut, the cross-section of said stud conforming substantially with the shape of said opening in said locking plate, means on said locking plate adapted to engage said nut for effecting locking cooperation between said stud and locking plate when turned relative to said receptacle, means for limiting the turning movement of said stud and locking plate, and means on said receptacle for limiting axial movement of said stud when in looking cooperation with said plates and nut.

8. A fastener device for use in securing together a plurality of members comprising a receptacle, a nut carried by said receptacle, a turnable looking plate in said receptacle, a spring located in said receptacle and constructed and arranged to urge said plate against said nut, a locking stud having an interrupted thread adapted to be inserted through said spring and plate for engagement with said nut, said locking plate and nut having openings conforming substantially with the cross-section of said stud, means on said "locking plate and operative when said locking plate has been turned by said stud for securing said stud in locked position in said nut relative to said receptacle for securing said members together, means on said locking plate limitin turning movement of said locking plate and stud into locking position, and means on said nut positioned exteriorly of said receptacle for limiting separation of said members when secured together.

9. A fastener device for use in detachably securing together a plurality of separable members, comprising a receptacle, a nut carried by said receptacle, said nut being furnished with recesses, a locking stud having an interrupted thread, means for securing said stud for turning movement in one of said members, a locking plate located in said receptacle, locking detents on said plate constructed and arranged to coact with said recesses, said stud and said nut being provided with openings conforming substantially in shape to the cross-section of said stud, a bowed flat sp secured within said housing and pressing said plate against said nut, said spring having an opening through which said stud may be inserted, and means on said plate for limiting the turning movement of said stud and plate when said detents are in looking engagement with said recesses, said last named means consisting of an abutment formed on the edge of said locking plate.

10. A fastener device of the type adapted to secure separable members together detachably, comprising a receptacle and means for securing said receptacle to one of said members, a nut loosely mounted within said receptacle, a locking plate provided with a stud receiving opening mounted within said receptacle and in engagement with said nut, a resilient locking element positioned within said receptacle and constructed and arranged to bias said locking plate into engagement with said nut, a locking stud adapted to be inserted through another of said members and through said element and locking plate into engagement with said nut, the cross-section of said stud conforming substantially with the shape of said opening in said locking plate, means on said locking plate for effecting locking cooperation between said stud, locking plate and nut when said stud and locking plate are turned rel ative to said receptacle, said last-named means producing an audible click when moving into or out of locking engagement with said nut, the periphery of said locking plate being cut away for a portion thereof to provide an abutment at an end of said cut away portion, and means positioned for engagement by said abutment for limiting the turning movement of said stud and looking plate.

11. A fastener device for use in securing togeth a plurality of plates comprising a receptacle, a nut mounted within said receptacle, a turnable substantially circular locking plate, a spring located in said receptacle and constructed and arranged to urge said locking plate against said nut, a locking stud having an interrupted thread adapted to be inserted through said spring and locking plate for engagement with said nut, said locking plate and nut having openings conforming substantially with the cross-section of said stud, means on saidlocking plate and operative when said locking plate has been turned by said stud for securing said stud in locked position in said nut, the periphery of said plate being cut away for a portion thereof to provide an abutment for limiting turning movement of said plate and stud into locking position, and a second abutment also formed on the periphery of said plate for limiting turning movement of said plate and stud into unlocking position.

12. A fastener device of the type adapted to secure plates together detachably, comprising a receptacle and means for securing said receptacle to one of said plates, a nut carried by said receptacle and provided with a plurality of sets of recesses, a locking plate provided with a stud receiving opening also carried by said receptacle and in engagement with said nut, a looking stud adapted to be inserted through another of said plates and through said member and locking plate into engagement with said nut, detent means on said locking plate adapted to engage one of said sets of recesses for effecting locking cooperation between said stud and looking plate when turned relative to said receptacle, and to engage another set of recesses in said nut when said stud and locking plate are turned in the opposite direction to unlocking position, an abutment on the peripheral edge portion of said locking plate for limiting the tm'ning movement of said stud and locking plate into looking position, and a second abutment formed on said peripheral edge portion of said locking plate for limiting the turning movement of said stud and locking plate into unlocking position.

13. A fastener device comprising a receptacle, a nut carried by said receptacle, 2. turnable looking plate in said receptacle, said locking plate having a reduced peripheral portion with movement limiting faces, a spring within said receptacle pressing said locking plate against said nut, a locking stud adapted to be inserted through said spring and locking plate for engagement with the threads of said nut, projections on said receptacle extending into the path of movement of said locking plate to limit the movement thereof in either direction when said locking plate is turned with said stud to lock or unlock said nut and locking plate.

14. A fastener device comprising a receptacle, a nut carried by said receptacle and provided with locking recesses, a turnable locking plate in said receptacle, said locking plat having a reduced peripheral portion with movement limiting faces, a spring within said receptacle pressing said locking plate against said nut, detents on said looking plate, a locking stud adapted to be inserted through said spring' and locking plate for engagement with the threads of said nut, projections on said receptacle extending into the path of movement of said locking plate to limit the movement thereof when said locking plate is turned with said stud to engage said detents in said recesses, said projection being spaced from said nut to prevent excess axial movement of said stud when said stud and nut are locked together.

JAMES W. WARREN.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Venditty June 29, 1943 Number 

